Hornets to build future around Davis

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It didn’t take long for the 2012 NBA Draft to turn into a celebration of college basketball bluebloods.

Freshman forward Anthony Davis of Kentucky, the reigning college player of the year and a defensive force with a high offensive ceiling based on his high school experience as a 6-foot-3 point guard, was the No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Hornets. That move was widely panned as the probable move for a franchise that finished 29th in offense and 24th in rebounding.

The Charlotte Bobcats followed with fellow Kentucky freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a versatile 6-8, 230-pound small forward.

The Washington Wizards took Florida guard Bradley Beal at No. 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers followed with Syracuse guard Dion Waiters and the Sacramento Kings selected Kansas forward Thomas Robinson to round out the top five.

On the local front, Oakland natives Damian Lillard, a Weber State guard went No. 6 to the Portland Trail Blazers and Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham came off the board at No. 24 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, whou traded the pick to the Dallas Mavericks.